Time passed very quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the survival test began.
The survival test of Arcaia City Pokémon University mainly consisted of clearing Ghost-type Pokémon from the Ancient Battlefield.
Although there were Pokémon hunters responsible for surveillance outside the battlefield, some Ghost-type Pokémon still managed to get out accidentally.
For that reason, it was very necessary every year to carry out a clearing of the Pokémon inhabiting the Ancient Battlefield. At the same time, many of those Ghost Pokémon could also become combat power for the League.
On this occasion, Arcaia City Pokémon University had sent several hundred students to the survival test.
Most belonged to the combat department, and those students constituted the main clearing force.
In addition to them, the students of research, breeding, and healing fulfilled logistical support roles. Depending on each one's specialty, the assigned tasks varied.
In the university plaza, Ethan boarded the school bus and headed toward the Ancient Battlefield.
"Look, we've already arrived at the Ancient Battlefield!"
At that moment, a student shouted that.
Ethan directed his gaze forward and immediately discovered that area wrapped in gray mist.
"The gray zone of death. It can be said that the Spirit World is one of the Secret Kingdoms that has the greatest impact on the real world."
As he contemplated that gray mist, Ethan reflected. Although the entrance to the Spirit World in that place did not open frequently, every time it did, it caused a great impact. That gray mist was precisely what flowed out from the Spirit World.
Soon, the vehicle stopped at a station located outside the Ancient Battlefield. There they would take a brief rest before entering the battlefield in teams.
Before that, the students who were going to participate in the survival test had to divide into groups. The standard configuration of each team was six people: three students from the combat department, one from the research department, one from the breeding department, and one from the medicine department.
At that moment, in the open ground, a group of students was freely forming teams.
"That Pokémon is... Lucario!"
Most of the teams showed great surprise upon seeing Lucario.
Lucario was truly very rare; in the entire League, only a few could be seen, so no one expected to encounter one there.
Moreover, Lucario itself was a very strong Pokémon and one that all students of the combat department dreamed of capturing.
For that reason, as soon as they saw Lucario, a large number of teams approached. But upon learning that this Lucario belonged to a student from the medicine department, they were all dumbfounded.
"Using Lucario as a healing Pokémon?"
The students from the combat department had completely distorted expressions.
Not to mention whether or not Lucario could perform as a healing Pokémon, just from its own strength, it was clear that it fit much better in the combat department.
It was far too much of a waste!
"Forget it, forget it. Lucario is truly rare, but what bad luck that it ended up with a healer."
After observing for a while, many teams withdrew.
Lucario, without a doubt, was very strong, but that was from the perspective of combat.
And if what they were looking for was a healer suitable for the team, it was still best to find a conventional healing partner.
After all, in a survival test there were still dangers, and when the time came, it might be necessary to rely on a true healer.
"Eh... no one wants to form a team with me?"
Ethan felt a little depressed. He, a Quasi-Elite-level trainer, was being rejected!
"Your name is Ethan White, right?"
"It seems you have good physical stamina, so come with us."
At that moment, a tall and robust-looking young man spoke.
Ethan directed his gaze toward him and discovered a group of burly students standing not far away.
And the Pokémon they had at their side were also very peculiar: all of them, without exception, were Fighting-type Pokémon!
Bringing an entire group of Fighting-type Pokémon to face Ghost-type Pokémon... it really had to be said that they were very brave.
"They're Bruno and the others, from the fighting club."
Seeing that group, a student at the side let out an exclamation.
Apparently, that group was quite well known; they were surely students from some club.
And the reason they had chosen Ethan as a team member seemed quite clear: they had seen that Lucario was also a Fighting-type Pokémon.
In that way, once Ethan joined, they could form a lineup composed entirely of Fighting-type Pokémon.
"From now on, you're coming with us. Don't worry, our Pokémon are very strong."
Bruno gave Ethan a thumbs-up, with a broad smile on his face.
"Then I'll entrust the heavy work to you."
Ethan nodded. He had the feeling that, following this group of such passionate young men, there would probably be many battles.
And that way, he would have plenty of time for Lucario to use its healing moves.
Once the teams were formed, the different groups began to gradually enter the Ancient Battlefield with their Pokémon.
At the same time... In a certain place in the Ancient Battlefield, an entrance to the Spirit World opened.
Next, a dense gray mist began to float out from within it, accompanied by a constant rubbing sound.
...
In a spacious room at the rest station, the walls were covered with screens that kept flashing, and projected on them were precisely the teams of students participating in the survival test.
Inside the room, the teachers in charge observed the students' performance. While recording the scores, they were also paying attention at all times to any danger that might arise.
(End of chapter)